Descriptive epidemiology of 13,038 newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed meningiomas in France: 2006-2010.

PURPOSE: This work describes the clinical epidemiology and pathology for patients undergoing surgery for newly diagnosed meningiomas in France between 2006 and 2010. METHODS: The methodology is based on a multidisciplinary national network previously established by the French Brain Tumor DataBase (FBTDB) (in French: Recensement national histologique des tumeurs primitives du système nerveux central [RnhTPSNC]), and the active participation of the scientific societies involved in neuro-oncology in France. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2010, 13,038 incident cases of meningioma with histological validation were identified and analyzed (9769 women, 3269 men, resection 98.2%, cryopreservation 20.5%). For each histological subtype of meningioma (meningothelial, fibrous, transitional, psammomatous, angiomatous, rare variety, microcystic, secretory, lymphoplasmacyte-rich, clear-cell, chordoid, rhabdoid, metaplastic, atypical, papillary, anaplastic and not otherwise specified), number of cases, sex, median age, cryopreservation and surgery were reported. Among the various histological subtypes, atypical meningioma (grade II) slightly, but significantly, increased after 2007. Headache, sensory-motor impairments and seizures were the most frequent clinical symptoms. Time between the first clinical symptom and surgery ranged from 0 to 314 months, and was <3 months in 37% of cases. At the time of surgery, 9% of patients were asymptomatic. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Given the number of meningiomas not histologically-validated, we can estimate that the gross incidence rate for meningiomas operated in France is about 4.2 per 100,000 person/year. To our knowledge, this work is the most important study evaluating the different subtypes of meningiomas and it validates the relevance of histological databases for central nervous system tumors.

[French brain tumor database: general results on 40,000 cases, main current applications and future prospects]. / Recensement national histologique des tumeurs primitives du système nerveux central : résultats généraux sur 40 000 cas, principales applications actuelles et perspectives.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This work aimed at prospectively record all primary central nervous system tumor (PCNST) cases in France, for which histological diagnosis was available. The objectives were to (i) create a national database and network to perform epidemiological studies, (ii) implement clinical and basic research protocols, and (iii) harmonize the health care of patients affected by PCNST. METHODS: The methodology is based on a multidisciplinary national network already established by the French Brain Tumor DataBase (FBTDB) (Recensement national histologique des tumeurs primitives du système nerveux central [RnhTPSNC]), and the active participation of the Scientific Societies involved in neuro-oncology in France. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2009, 43,929 cases of newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed PCNST have been recorded. Histological diagnoses included gliomas (42,4%), all other neuroepithelial tumors (4,4%), tumors of the meninges (32,3%), nerve sheath tumors (9,2%), lymphomas (3,4%) and others (8,3%). Cryopreservation was reported for 9603 PCNST specimens. Tumor resections were performed in 78% cases, while biopsies accounted for 22%. Median age at diagnosis, sex, percentage of resections and number of cryopreserved tumors were detailed for each histology, according to the WHO classification. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Many current applications and perspectives for the FBTDB are illustrated in the discussion. To our knowledge, this work is the first database in Europe, dedicated to PCNST, including clinical, surgical and histological data (with also cryopreservation of the specimens), and which may have major epidemiological, clinical and research implications.

Ultrasound assessment of the acetabulum in the infant hip.

One hundred and fifty infant hips were studied using simultaneous ultrasonography and radiography. The reliability of measurement was found to be similar for alpha angle and d/D ratio. However, the acetabular index correlated much better with the d/D ratio than with the alpha angle. In fact, in hips where the d/D ratio exceeded 56%, radiographs could be dispensed with. Besides, the use of a sector scanner or a linear-array tranducer was found to make no significant difference to the correlation between the acetabular index and the d/D ratio. Sonographic assessment of acetabular development in the infant should permit a reduction in the number of radiographs required during screening and follow-up.